Hendrick's Gin

ฃWhen thinking of Scottish beverages, many might first consider Scotch whisky. But did you know that this country also produces a premium gin called Hendrick's Gin? This gin is distilled at a renowned old Scottish distillery that dates back to the late 20th century. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the story of this truly unique gin.

The Genesis: From Whisky Legacy to Ancient Stills (1886 - 1966 AD)

The story of Hendrick's Gin begins with William Grant & Sons, an ancient whisky distillery founded by William Grant in 1886. Originally, this distillery produced the famous Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky, becoming one of the giants dominating the Scotch Whisky market.

However, in 1966, Charles Gordon, William's son-in-law (one of the executives who later became company chairman), successfully acquired two rare copper stills at auction: an 1860 Bennett Still and a 1943 Carter-Head Still.

After acquiring them, he pondered what to do with these two stills. It wasn't until almost 10 years later, when gin began gaining popularity across the UK, that the company decided to produce gin. However, their initial attempt wasn't successful due to intense competition.

Crafting a Distinct Gin: Bulgarian Rose and Cucumber (1999 AD)

Charles Gordon reconsidered how to make their gin stand out and differentiate itself from competitors. He then remembered the rare stills he had stored away, sparking the idea to use them for gin production.

With this idea, he invited Lesley Gracie, a chemist with an interest in botany, and David Stewart, a gin expert, to join his team to develop a new product. They experimented with recipes for several years until, in 1999, they launched Hendrick's Gin to the market, and it quickly gained popularity.

What sets Hendrick's Gin apart from its competitors is its unique distillation process. It utilizes the two rare copper stills Charles Gordon acquired and employs a hand-crafted production method, limiting each batch to only 500 liters. This small volume is deliberately chosen to ensure the best possible result, as the producers prioritize quality control.

Beyond its distinct technique, Hendrick's Gin's ingredients also differ from other gins. It uses 11 carefully selected traditional botanicals. However, what truly makes Hendrick's Gin unique is the infusion of Bulgarian Rose, revered as one of the most fragrant roses, and specially selected Cucumber. These two ingredients give Hendrick's Gin its distinctive floral aroma and refreshing character.

The idea of using Bulgarian rose and cucumber as ingredients stemmed from David Stewart. The story goes that one summer day, while David was enjoying gin in his garden, eating a cucumber sandwich, and admiring the roses, he suddenly wondered what gin with cucumber and rose would taste like. The next day, he presented this concept to his team, which led to the creation of the unique Hendrick's Gin.

Name, Bottle, and Global Success (1999 AD - Present)

The name Hendrick's Gin was coined by Janet Roberts, William Grant's granddaughter and a company executive. During a meeting to propose names, Janet suggested "Hendrick," the name of the gardener who tended the rose garden. She felt this name perfectly reflected the gin's character and the floral essence of an English garden.

Beyond its distinctive qualities, Hendrick's Gin's bottle design is also unique. The brand chose an opaque bottle resembling a Victorian apothecary bottle. This bottle design gives Hendrick's Gin a luxurious feel and has even inspired other gin brands to adopt similar opaque bottle styles.

Since its launch, Hendrick's Gin has received numerous awards and accolades, establishing the company's reputation as a global gin producer. It is highly praised by critics and beverage experts for its outstanding quality and unique taste.

The success of Hendrick's Gin is a testament to the power of innovation and creativity in the spirits industry. Over the years, the company has continued to develop its products, releasing several limited-edition variants such as Midsummer Solstice, Orbium Gin, and Lunar Gins.

In addition to gin, the company also launched Quinetum, a quinine specifically produced for bartenders to use as a cocktail ingredient.

Although Hendrick's Gin has a relatively recent origin, the company remains committed to quality production, adhering to William Grant's philosophy for over 138 years. This dedication ensures that Hendrick's Gin remains one of the most popular gins in the world today, available in over 100 countries worldwide.